17 days Spain, Portugal & Morocco (ZU) (2017)
On this Spain, Portugal, and Morocco tour, you’ll experience these three glorious countries, each with a rich history and culture! You’ll overnight in Lisbon, Seville, Rabat, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Erfoud, Fez, the Costa del Sol, Granada, and Madrid. Some of the tour highlights include the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, a symbol of Portugal’s power during the Age of Discovery; Madrid’s Prado Museum, with its 8,000 pieces of Western painting; and Toledo’s Santo Tomé Church, which has one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Enjoy a ferry ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco and in Rabat, visit the beautiful Mohammed V Mausoleum, with the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons.
Step back in time in Marrakesh with sightseeing including Bahia Palace, built in the late 19th century. Wander through the Djemaa El-Fna, a square and exotic bazaar offering some of the greatest open-air entertainment. Listen to the storytellers—an integral part of the culture—and browse for handicrafts. In Fez, a guide leads you through the labyrinthine Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Medersa Bou Inania, an architectural work of art built between 1350 and 1357.
One cannot think of Casablanca without thinking of the movie Casablanca. Here, Globus has arranged a special experience for you…you’ll enjoy lunch at Rick’s Café Américain, a re-creation of the bar made famous in the movie. Another special treat is a 4-wheel drive to the sand dune of Erg Chebbi, formed by the Sahara sand. Back in Spain, spend time on the Costa del Sol, where you can relax and soak up the sun on the beach.
For more great rates and dates, please call your Travel Planner.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal (flight not included) | Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. Dinner |
| 2 | Lisbon | Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus, and the Monument to the Discoverers. Also visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. An exciting optional excursion to the royal palace of Queluz is available, as well as dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment. Breakfast |
| 3 | Lisbon–Azeitao–Seville, Spain | In Azeitao, visit a traditional TILE WORKSHOP. Next, enter Spain and reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 4 | Seville | During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Also visit the magnificent CASA DE PILATOS, a mixture of Moorish and Roman architecture with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. Tonight, for a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional Flamenco show. Breakfast |
| 5 | Seville–Algeciras–Rabat, Morocco | Travel through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras and enjoy a FERRY RIDE across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. Follow North Africa’s infamous Barbary Coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 6 | Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh | Sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the massive medieval battlements, the Royal Palace, MAUSOLEUM OF MOHAMMED V, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudaias. Also visit the fine ROMAN RELICS OF CHELLAH. Continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern seaport. A special lunch has been prepared at Rick’s Café Américain, famous from the movie Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, and the song As Time Goes By. Your guided panoramic drive features a visit to the HASSAN II MOSQUE, a splendid monument designed to mark the end of the century. Evening arrival in Marrakesh, beautifully situated in an oasis. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| 7 | Marrakesh | Follow your Local Guide and visit BAHIA PALACE, the 16th-century SAADIAN TOMBS (if closed, visit the BADIA PALACE instead), and to Djemaa El-Fna, the vibrant town center dominated by the 222-foot-high Koutoubia Minaret. In the evening, an exciting optional excursion is available. Breakfast |
| 8 | Marrakesh–Ouarzazate | Today, travel to Morocco’s Hollywood, Ouarzazate, deep in the desert and immortalized through movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars. Later, visit KASBAH TAOURIRT. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 9 | Ouarzazate–Erfoud | A fascinating drive through the desert via the Dades Valley with its oases filled with olives, dates, and figs. Then, head through Morocco’s Grand Canyon, Todra Gorge, to Erfoud in the heart of the Sahara. A special treat awaits you: enjoy a spectacular FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE to the sand dune of Erg Chebbi. Admire the unforgettable and romantic sunset and sip the traditional mint tea before heading back to your hotel to savor a traditional Moroccan dinner. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 10 | Erfoud–Er Rachidia–Fez | Enjoy your last views of the desert and turn northwards. Stop in Er Rachidia, originally built as a French settlement, and travel via the Ziz Gorges and the Middle Atlas mountains to Fez. Blessed with an ample supply of water and strategically situated, Fez became the capital of Morocco when the country shook off foreign rule under Berber King Idris in the 8th century. To this day, Fez has remained Morocco’s spiritual and artistic center. Tonight, why not sign up for an optional folklore dinner? Breakfast |
| 11 | Fez | See the magnificent entrance to the Royal Palace, drive through the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and travel on to Bab Bou Jeloud, the traditional entrance to Old Fez. Your Local Guide also leads you through labyrinthine MEDINA and MEDERSA BOU INANIA. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 12 | Fez–Tangier–Costa Del Sol, Spain | Arrive in Tangier, jumping-off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain, and enjoy an orientation of this busy seaport. Board the FERRY for the trip back across the Strait to Europe. Continue to the elegant Costa del Sol, where you will stay for two nights. Breakfast |
| 13 | Costa Del Sol | Today is your chance to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. Later, enjoy the sandy beaches and browse through the trendy boutiques. Tonight, why not try out local specialties at one of the lively restaurants? Breakfast |
| 14 | Costa Del Sol–Granada | Leave the Mediterranean coast and arrive in Granada. A guided walking tour features a visit to the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, with superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte. Also visit the WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE. This evening, enjoy dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 15 | Granada–Toledo–Madrid | Drive via Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Toledo, where a Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before arriving in Madrid. Breakfast |
| 16 | Madrid | Morning guided sightseeing features the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, and more. The highlight is a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM. An optional excursion to El Escorial is available, and tonight, a special paella farewell dinner with wine awaits you at a local restaurant as a proper way to say adios to Spain! Breakfast, Dinner |
| 17 | Madrid | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast |